Top 20 Movies With Famous Actors in Roles You Completely Missed

Well-known actors usually play the main characters we see in movies, making them instantly famous. But sometimes, directors give these stars small, hidden roles – maybe as someone unrecognizable with makeup or a disguise. These cameos are often just for fun, as a little joke for the people making the movie, or a friendly favor. Here’s a list of twenty films featuring these surprising appearances that you probably didn’t notice.

‘Hook’ (1991)

In this fantasy film, Glenn Close plays a male pirate named Gutless. She’s almost unrecognizable thanks to a fake beard and extensive makeup that hides her face. During one scene, she stands beside Captain Hook as he punishes a crew member. Most viewers don’t even realize the acclaimed actress is behind the rough-looking pirate. It’s considered one of the most remarkable gender-bending performances in movies from the 1990s.

‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

Tom Cruise surprised everyone with his hilarious performance as Les Grossman, a foul-mouthed and balding studio boss. He used a fat suit and oversized prosthetic hands to completely transform his appearance. He even made up a now-famous dance routine on the spot, which became a highlight of the movie. This comedic role was a big departure from his typical action hero characters, and Cruise played it so well that many viewers didn’t realize it was him until the end credits.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

Daniel Craig made a quick but memorable appearance in the sci-fi hit as a stormtrooper. He plays the guard who watches over Rey, and she tries to use the Force to influence him. Craig intentionally used a robotic voice to disguise his normal accent. He’s listed in the credits as Stormtrooper JB-007, a playful reference to his role as James Bond. He reportedly always wanted to be part of the Star Wars franchise, and this cameo let him achieve that dream.

‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007)

Cate Blanchett makes a brief, uncredited appearance as Janine, the ex-girlfriend of the main character, Nicholas Angel. She’s almost entirely hidden behind a forensic mask and goggles, with only her eyes and voice giving any hint to her identity during a quick scene at a crime scene. Director Edgar Wright chose the acclaimed actress after learning she enjoyed his earlier work. Many fans consider this cameo one of the movie’s cleverest hidden surprises.

‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)

Matt Damon completely changes his appearance to play a rural character in a surprising scene, even sporting a fake belly and mullet. He adopts a strong Southern accent and is joined by Alan Tudyk as they meet the time-traveler Cable. Damon is so convincing in his role that he’s credited as ‘Dickie Greenleaf’ – a nod to his character name from the movie ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’.

‘Back to the Future Part II’ (1989)

I always get a kick out of seeing Elijah Wood’s very first movie role! It’s a quick scene in Back to the Future, where he’s a little kid playing an arcade game in a diner. It’s hilarious – he’s wearing a green colander as a hat and complaining that the game makes you use your hands! It happens while Marty is showing off his shooting skills. Most people probably don’t even realize it’s him, way before he became famous as Frodo. It’s just a fun little fact for Back to the Future fans like me.

‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ (1999)

Keira Knightley played Sabé, a handmaiden who cleverly disguised herself as Queen Amidala. She was chosen for the part because she looked remarkably like Natalie Portman with makeup. In costume, they were so alike that even their mothers sometimes couldn’t tell them apart! Knightley’s character often stood in for the Queen in risky situations, and this role helped launch her acting career before she became a worldwide star.

‘Coming to America’ (1988)

Cuba Gooding Jr. made his film debut with a brief, non-speaking appearance as a barbershop customer. He simply reacts to a lively discussion about boxing happening around him. Though the scene is largely carried by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, it’s a noteworthy early role for Gooding Jr., coming years before his success in ‘Boyz n the Hood’. It’s a quick cameo that many viewers might not even notice, even knowing he later won an Academy Award.

‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974)

Gene Hackman plays a reclusive, blind man who unknowingly invites the monster into his house for dinner. Almost completely transformed by a beard and glasses, Hackman delivers a hilariously chaotic performance. He specifically asked for the small, uncredited part because he wanted to explore his comedic abilities. A standout moment is when he mistakenly spills hot soup on the monster. This brief appearance revealed a funnier, more lighthearted side of the actor, who was usually known for his serious, dramatic roles.

‘EuroTrip’ (2004)

Matt Damon unexpectedly showed up as the lead singer of a punk band in a movie scene. He shaved his head and got piercings for the role, performing a really catchy song called “Scotty Doesn’t Know.” He took the part because he was already in Prague filming another project and wanted to support his friends who made the film. His enthusiastic performance transformed a small moment into one of the movie’s most iconic scenes, and the song became a fan favorite long after the film came out.

‘Minority Report’ (2002)

Cameron Diaz makes a quick, uncredited appearance as a train passenger, briefly visible behind Tom Cruise. She’s seen talking with director Cameron Crowe, who was visiting the set. Most people don’t notice them, as the focus is on Cruise, but it’s a fun Easter egg for observant viewers.

‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ (1984)

Dan Aykroyd makes a brief appearance as Weber, a British airport official who guides Indiana Jones to his plane. He uses a distinct English accent and sports a mustache, making him almost unrecognizable. This quick cameo happens during the fast-paced opening scene and only shares a few seconds of screen time with Harrison Ford before the action shifts to the plane. It’s a small, friendly acknowledgment of Aykroyd’s relationship with director Steven Spielberg.

‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)

Robert Downey Jr. makes a brief, uncredited appearance as a dead man – a party guest named Sid Shattuck – lying on the floor. He’s mostly hidden by makeup and blood, and most viewers don’t even notice him. He was visiting the set to see the director, Shane Black, and the director decided to include him in a small, easily missed scene during the investigation.

‘Scream’ (1996)

Linda Blair, famous for playing the possessed girl in ‘The Exorcist’, provides the voice for the annoying reporter who shouts at Sidney from a van. This is a brief, voice-only appearance meant as a tribute to Blair’s horror icon status and a nod to classic scary movies. It’s a subtle detail that most viewers don’t notice, only those listening closely will recognize her voice.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

In a scene set in the Kyln prison, Nathan Fillion plays a large, blue inmate. His voice is changed with digital effects as he intimidates Peter Quill. The character is entirely computer-generated, making it hard to recognize Fillion visually. Fillion often works with director James Gunn and makes cameos in his films. Eventually, Groot easily defeats the character in a funny moment.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Tom Morello, the guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, appears in the film as a member of the Ten Rings organization, guarding Tony Stark. He’s seen in the background with a weapon, and his contribution to the film’s music led to this on-screen role. This is an unusual acting appearance for the renowned musician, though fans of his band might still recognize him even in military attire and without any lines.

‘Men in Black II’ (2002)

Okay, let me tell you about one of the weirdest and most memorable cameos in the Men in Black films. Michael Jackson actually appears as himself, or rather, as a character claiming to be himself. He’s playing an aspiring agent – Agent M – and basically begs Zed to let him join the organization, all while appearing on a video screen. Apparently, he was a huge fan of the first movie and specifically asked for a part! He even gets to wear the classic black suit and shades for a quick, funny bit. Honestly, it’s a truly bizarre moment, but it definitely sticks with you as one of the franchise’s most unusual celebrity appearances.

‘Elf’ (2003)

Peter Billingsley, famous for playing Ralphie in ‘A Christmas Story,’ makes a fun, uncredited appearance in the movie. He plays an elf overseeing the toy workshop at the North Pole and shares a scene with Will Ferrell about toy production. This casting is a clever nod to both films, and fans of Christmas movies will appreciate the connection between these two holiday classics.

‘Ted’ (2012)

Ryan Reynolds makes a quick, uncredited appearance as the boyfriend of Patrick Warburton’s character. He shows up briefly in a flashback at a party, offering a quick look at the camera. He doesn’t have any lines and is only on screen for a few seconds. Reynolds did this as a favor to the show’s creator, Seth MacFarlane, and seems happy to be part of the joke. It’s easy to blink and miss him with everything else happening in the scene.

‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

In a short, funny scene, Chris Evans plays Devin Peters, a movie star who seems totally unconcerned about a comet heading towards Earth. He’s wearing sunglasses and a hat, and is supposedly promoting his new film, but really, the character is meant to poke fun at how little celebrities care about serious problems. Evans looks quite different thanks to his costume and the clip is so short, many viewers might not even recognize him. It’s a clever way the film comments on the media and celebrity culture.

Share which of these hidden celebrity roles shocked you the most in the comments.

2025-11-24 23:21